Suspension Tech General discussion of suspension for the Ford Ranger.

rear suspension issue. need expertise!

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Old 03-17-2010
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rear suspension issue. need expertise!

noticed the right side of my truck was lower than the left today so i checked it out. the front end is almost perfectly level but the rear is off. i measured about an inch and a half difference from the rear of the frame to the floor. anyone know what the deal is? i have my t-bars cranked but the front is level and my tires are both inflated to the same psi.
 
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Old 03-17-2010
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sounds like your t-bar is ready to snap
it is already twisted beyond repair
 
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Old 03-18-2010
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Originally Posted by cheese_man
sounds like your t-bar is ready to snap
it is already twisted beyond repair
His rear is off, not the front end.



OP, Check you leaf pack and give the rear end a bounce. Push down on either side of the bed and see if the right side comes back up. You may have a finished shock.
 
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Old 03-18-2010
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Originally Posted by Rolldogg
His rear is off, not the front end.



OP, Check you leaf pack and give the rear end a bounce. Push down on either side of the bed and see if the right side comes back up. You may have a finished shock.
you think a blown shock would effect the hight?
 
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Old 03-18-2010
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Originally Posted by Flippn03Sonic
you think a blown shock would effect the hight?
Sure. Between your rear shocks and your leaf pack, that's holding your rear frame up. You take one of those out and your truck will dip or sag to that side.

Just push down on the bed sides one at a time (obviously) and see what the suspension does. Does it bounce, is it hard, is it soft?? You ever buy a used car? It's an old quick technique to guess on the quality of the suspension.
 
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Old 03-18-2010
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the t-bars aren't gonna snap, and it isn't a shock. Check the rear leaf springs for a broken spring
 
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Old 03-18-2010
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i remember having similar issue with my old cj-7 lift kit many years ago

it turns out that the front pass side leaf spring was not properly tempered ,, and it lost it`s memory???
and started to sag big time ,, it was replaced under their warranty
 
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Old 03-18-2010
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Originally Posted by Rolldogg
Sure. Between your rear shocks and your leaf pack, that's holding your rear frame up. You take one of those out and your truck will dip or sag to that side.

Just push down on the bed sides one at a time (obviously) and see what the suspension does. Does it bounce, is it hard, is it soft?? You ever buy a used car? It's an old quick technique to guess on the quality of the suspension.
interesting never knew the shocks really held anything up i thought that they were just to stop bouncing. thankx ill check those out. i've had the truck for 65k miles and never changed the shocks. it has 115k on it so its possible those are originals.
 
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Old 03-18-2010
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Originally Posted by Toreador4x4
the t-bars aren't gonna snap, and it isn't a shock. Check the rear leaf springs for a broken spring
if your right ill probably change the shocks anyways cuz they look old and get a new leaf springs at the same time

thanks everyone
 
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Old 03-18-2010
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Originally Posted by Flippn03Sonic
if your right ill probably change the shocks anyways cuz they look old and get a new leaf springs at the same time

thanks everyone
the shocks are not load bearing, all they do is dampen suspension oscillations
 
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Old 03-18-2010
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It doesn't happen often, but some vehicles come from the factory like that. I once had a '91 that was like that from the time it was new.
 
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Old 05-03-2012
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How hard is it to change shocks on the rear of the Ranger. I have a 1998 Ranger with 188xxx miles?
 
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Old 05-03-2012
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Its really easy. One nut on the top and one bolt on the bottom and it slides out.
 
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Old 05-03-2012
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Unless you live in the rust belt. Then it slides off very hard and requires a fair bit of swearing.
 
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Old 05-03-2012
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Great thanks guys, looks really easy but is their any special tools needed. Do I need to jack or jack the truck up in anyway? A 188xxx on the original clutch :-)
 
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Old 05-03-2012
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Originally Posted by rolsmojave3
Unless you live in the rust belt. Then it slides off very hard and requires a fair bit of swearing.
BFH
 
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Old 05-03-2012
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More like air hammer
 
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